Gardenia #2: An Afternoon of Music and Poetry / 29.01.17

Sunday 29th January // 2pm // All-Ages

“In January of 2016, I did something on a whim that I’d always dreamed about – I decided to put together a completely acoustic and unplugged show out the back of the beer garden at my favourite venue, Black Wire Records. GARDENIA was born, and it ended up selling out completely. It was an afternoon of music and poetry, featuring some of my dearest friends and exciting new musical discoveries.

And it felt so good, to paraphrase Bachelor Girl, that I wanted to do it again.

So, here we are. GARDENIA is returning in 2017 with another line-up of eclectic musicians and poets all performing out the back of Sydney’s home of DIY. I’m very excited to be sharing this with you, so here goes nothing.

DOG DIRT is up first, a bedroom folk project based out of the central coast of New South Wales. This marks the second time Dog Dirt has performed at Black Wire after making their debut as a part of the Sad-O-Meter show earlier this year. Dog Dirt – aka Zoe Lane – makes strikingly honest and beautiful music, and I can’t wait for you to hear it. Get sad early, get sad often.

Making the trek up from Canberra is James Marchet, aka JIM DUSTY. You may have seen Jimmy in previous bands like Propeller and Rather Be Dead. In 2016, however, he branched out on his own with a banjo and a raw, unique take on Australiana. This will mark Jim Dusty’s first-ever Sydney show, so let’s make our guest from the nation’s capital feel most welcome.

NOTHING RHYMES WITH DAVID. Yep, that’s me. You’re probably wondering how I got myself in this situation. Well, I picked up a guitar in 2009 after the bands I was in went their separate ways. From there, I’ve released three EPs and two albums. My most recent album, Things Work Out for People Like You, came out in May to a fittingly-muted response. This will be my last show for a little while.

Originally from England, LAURA MARDON today calls the Gold Coast her home. If you don’t know her, you know at least a few of the punk veterans who can’t get enough of her sweet, charming and sentimental tunes – Unwritten Law, Joey Cape, Erica Freas and Scott Reynolds have all been lucky enough to share the stage with her. Now, at long last, it’s Black Wire’s turn.

Finally, our headlining artist is your mate and mine, JAMIE HAY. Jamie’s spent a bit of time at Black Wire already in 2016 – his band Fear Like Us played there twice in support of their brilliant album Succour, he played solo as a part of Rachel Maria Cox’s EP launch and got the band back together with Newcastle grind legends Conation that saw many hands raised like the bear claws in appreciation. Jamie’s back again to share songs old and new from his extensive discography – and you’re invited for a sing-along.

If that wasn’t enough, I’ve also recruited a team of teenagers with attitude to fend of the evil Rita Repulsa before each artist starts. Please give it up for the mighty morphin poet rangers of GARDENIA #2 (in alphabetical order): ALISHA BOURKE, ALLISON GALLAGHER, CADE TURNER-MANN, DAVE DRAYTON and LORIN ELIZABETH. Hold on to your iambic pentameters, because these five don’t mess around.

So, here we are. GARDENIA #2. Sunday January 29. Rock up at 2pm for a 2:30 kickoff. BYO food and drink etc. All ages, races, genders, creeds etc. welcome. Babies and dogs are especially encouraged. Hope to see you there.”